1) Tango & Stache Pop-up at Rye
A two-day pop-up kitchen this week in the Tenderloin promises to be pork-tastic. “Kitchen-tender” and pop-up maverick “Tango & Stache” (aka Joshua Wilder Oakley) is continuing his twice-weekly appearance at Rye (688 Geary @ Leavenworth) this Wednesday, July 17 and Thursday, July 18 from 6 pm to midnight. Widely known for turning his favorite cocktails into tacos, Tango & Stache will be serving his signature Appleton Rum braised pork on bacon fat masa with Wild Turkey 101-pickled jalapeños and a fried egg for $7. Pair it with a specially-matched cocktail bottled by Rye's Bar Manager, Jen Ackrill, featuring Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, Peach Shrub, fresh lemon and celery bitters for $7.
2) Yerba Buena Gallery Crawl
The Yerba Buena neighborhood is the place to be this and every third Thursday, for the Yerba Buena Gallery Crawl. The monthly outing of art, performance, music and drinks stretches from 2nd to 5th Street, between Market and Harrison. From 4 to 10 pm, visitors can pick up a free wristband at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (701 Mission @ 3rd) for free admission to participating neighborhood galleries and $5 admission to the Contemporary Jewish Museum. The wristband also gets you special rates at participating bars and restaurants, including Press Club (20 Yerba Buena Lane), B Restaurant and Bar (720 Howard, above the waterfall), Thirsty Bear Restaurant (661 Howard @ 3rd), and Novela (662 Mission St. @ Annie Alley).
3) “BS Trivia” Every Sunday at Cafe Flore
Just when you think San Francisco can’t accommodate another trivia night, Cafe Flore comes along and hosts a new one. AJ Selica brings his “BS Trivia” to Cafe Flore (2298 Market St. @ Noe) every Sunday from 7 to 9 pm. Play this fast-paced trivia challenge with a team or solo to win a $30 Cafe Flore gift card for First Place or $20 for Second Place. Prizes are also awarded for most creative and funniest team names. Sunday drink specials include $1 off Sangria, plus a random nightly bartender drink special. The full food menu is available, featuring soups, salads and entrees. According to Selica, “BS Trivia technically stands for BrainStorm Trivia, but I typically leave it up for interpretation.” Indeed, the sample question he provided brought to mind another “BS” word entirely: Q: Of American women polled, in what sport did they find men most sexy? A: Football (Baseball was #2).
4) Meet the Bar Team at Jasper’s
Jasper’s Corner Tap & Kitchen (401 Taylor @ O’Farrell) wants you to put a name–and a drink–with the new faces behind the bar. So they’re hosting a “Meet the Bar Team” night on Tuesday, July 23, from 6 to 8 pm. Each member of the bartending team will be on hand to make his or her own specialty cocktail for $6. Start with Allison Webber’s Highland Shandy, made with Yamazaki, Chamomile honey, lemon and Trumer Pilsner. Spice things up with Bar Manager Kevin Diedrich’s Swizzle My Nizzle, made with Denizen Rum, lime juice, vanilla agave, passion fruit, and habanero bitters. For dessert, try Rob Wertheimer’s Cobbler Formerly Known as the Raspberry Beret, made with Banks Rum, Dolin Blanc Vermouth, honey, raspberries and “Improved Bitters,” which are a mixture of Angostura bitters, Maraschino and Absinthe.
5) Comfort Food and Kitten on the Keys at The Rite Spot Cafe
What kind of dive bar serves Italian comfort food on white tablecloths with a side of cabaret? Only the “rite” kind. Located at 2099 Folsom Street (@ 17th), The Rite Spot Cafe features a full bar, an excellent wine list and Italian-American food, plus live performances and local art. On Tuesday, July 23, award-winning musical and burlesque artist “Kitten on the Keys” will provide the entertainment, singing campy, punky cabaret tunes and Tin Pan Alley favorites. The show starts at 8:30 pm and is free with an $8 per person minimum purchase. The menu features appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta and entrees, along with fine wines and local and imported beer.
